This brown fright wig was worn by Lucille Ball on Here’s Lucy in the show entitled “Lucy Goes on her Last Blind Date” from Season 5, episode #16 that originally aired on January 8, 1973. (Synopsis: Uncle Harry’s wealthy cousin Ben played by Don Knotts goes on a date with Lucy but she’s not interested. In a scheme to scare him off she becomes a werewolf in a Dr. Jekyll and Ms. Hyde bit.) The base color matches Lucy’s red hair and it appears to have been over-dyed the dark brown. The wig still retains its rigidness from the original hair spray.
Category: Shown Worn
Lucille Ball’s MAME Costume by Theadora Van Runkle
On March 7, 1974 Lucille Ball brought “Mame Dennis” to the big screen for her final feature film, MAME. She wore an unprecedented number of costumes in the movie, all of which were designed by Theodora Van Runkle.
One of the gowns was this three piece ensemble consisting of a silver lamè sleeveless, floor length gown with high collar, silver lamè turban with black lace lining, and a black wool and satin jacket with silver lamè lapels and cuffs with large covered buttons. The labels have large ornate deco-style diamond pins attached.
Lucy wears the costume for roughly ten seconds in the film during Robert Preston’s serenade of “Loving You” but dawns it more often for the press luncheon at the start of filming, publicity photoshoots as well as other events.
Lucille Ball’s Red ‘Du Barry Was A Lady’ Wig
After signing with MGM, Lucille Ball’s first film at the studio was 1943’s Du Barry Was a Lady. At the time Lucy’s hair was close to her natural color, a mousey-brown and since it was going to be shot in Technicolor a change needed to be made so her look would pop more on screen. MGM’s hair stylist, Sydney Guilaroff decided to dye her hair a vibrant red/orange. Along with her porcelain skin, blue eyes and red lips, the new hair color made her look sensational on and off camera. She remained a redhead for the rest of her life.
This was the wig Lucille wore in the movie. Considered a “3/4 fall” it was attached to the crown of her head providing long locks while her real hair was made in an updo. The interior lace has two labels sewn onto it – a Max Factor Studios label and a Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer label with 493 written in blue. This number matches that found on the original black wig box. The box has a label affixed detailing the color (tech. red) size and performer who it was created for. Also included is the original wig stock record card with all this information and production number. The wig would be reused in 1967 by actress ‘S. Yarnell’ as written on the card however this may actually be Celeste Yarnall of Star Trek fame.
Plaid Tartan Blazer worn by Lucille Ball in ‘Sorrowful Jones’
In 1949, Lucille Ball starred opposite Bob Hope in the comedic film Sorrowful Jones. Lucy plays Gladys a nightclub singer and can be seen wearing this plaid wool tartan blazer. Featuring dark brown velvet cuffs and lapels, the jacket originally had three covered buttons in the front however only one is still present. Inner design elements include shoulder pads and metal weights sewn into the back hem to help keep it weighted down. The neckline still retains the original designer label and Paramount studio label with “L.Ball” written in pen. The black wool skirt photographed with this blazer also belonged to Lucille Ball’s personal wardrobe circa 1980’s.
Here’s Lucy & Happy Anniversary and Goodbye Butterfly Dress
Lucille Ball’s custom-made butterfly house dress worn on Here’s Lucy. Lucy can be seen wearing this one of a kind frock in the episode entitled “Lucy the Mountain Climber” from Season 4, episode #1 and originally aired on November 20, 1971. It’s then seen again later that season in the episode “Lucy’s Replacement” which aired on January 17, 1972. After Lucy broke her leg skiing later that year, she’s confined to a wheelchair wearing the dress in the episode “A Home Is Not an Office” that was part of Season 5 – episode #4 that aired October 2, 1972.
After Here’s Lucy went off the air in early 1974, Lucille starred in a handful of TV specials under her production company – Lucille Ball Productions. One of them was Happy Anniversary and Goodbye alongside Art Carney which aired on November 19,1974. Arnold Schwarzenegger, who played Rico a message therapist, had his first television appearance in a scene with Lucy wearing the butterfly dress.
This polyester garment features a long and dramatic collar, indicative of the 70’s. Faux plastic buttons are visible down the front with hidden snap buttons and full zipper closure on the inside. Also present are two side seam pockets on the hips. The oversized style of this dress allowed for comfortability and helped play into Lucy’s “thicker” stature with the use of a bodysuit in the first half of Happy Anniversary and Goodbye.
Lucille Ball’s Blonde Wig from Here’s Lucy
Lucille Ball’s blonde wig worn on Here’s Lucy in the show entitled “Lucy and Jack Benny’s Biography” from Season 3, episode #11 and originally aired on November 23, 1970. (Synopsis: Harry sends Lucy to Jack Benny’s house to write down his biography. Throughout the series of flashbacks we meet many of the women in Jack’s life whom are all played by Lucy.)
Lucy portraying blonde bombshell, “Lola,” wears this Max Factor Studios wig in the ‘fifth chapter’ of the show. The laced sides and front high quality wig was originally styled by Irma Kusely, and it is possible Lucy wore it more than once in other skits. This item was acquired from the estate of Frank Gorey who was the Ball/Arnaz/Morton family’s majordomo for over three decades.
Here’s Lucy Apricot-Color Artist Smock
Lucille Ball’s one-of-a-kind, custom-made, apricot color artist’s smock worn on Here’s Lucy. The show is titled “Lucy and Danny Thomas” from Season 6, episode #1 and originally aired on September 10, 1973. (Synopsis: Lucy schemes with a starving artist to fake his death, hoping his paintings will begin to sell.)
This polyester garment features faux covered buttons down the front with hidden snap button closures. It has large bell sleeves with cuffs that have the same faux button and snap closure at the wrists. Also present are two deep pockets. Topping it off is a beautiful navy, crepe scarf that descends down the front. Our favorite redhead wears this vivid smock in the opening scene of the show for nearly 10 minutes, so it is highly visible.
Lucille Ball’s pink Reebok sneakers worn on “Life With Lucy”
Pink 1980’s Reebok sneakers worn by Lucille Ball in the Life With Lucy episode, “Breaking Up Is Hard To Do.” In this eleventh and unaired episode, Lucy Barker comes up with a unique gimmick in hopes of bringing more customers to the hardware store.
The sneakers were altered by the prop department, placing a grommet in the heel to run a rope through, which makes the mallet hit the drum whenever she lifts and puts down her foot.
Original 1954 fashion sketch of Lucille Ball by Elois Jenssen
An original 1954 fashion sketch of Lucille Ball by designer, Elois Jenssen. This vibrant illustration depicts a white, sweetheart bodice, chiffon evening gown draped in tulle, complete with kelly green necklace and earrings.
The costume sketch was produced for Lucy’s appearance at the Hollywood premiere of Judy Garland’s brilliant film, A Star is Born, that took place on October 16, 1954. Desi and Lucy were an astounding looking couple that night!
As one who held onto many things in her life, years later, Lucy wore the same jewelry set on a few episodes of Here’s Lucy.